Westchester Legislators Oppose Con Ed Rate Hikes

WHITE PLAINS, NY — The Westchester County Board of Legislators unanimously voted Monday in favor of a resolution opposing proposed rate increases by Con Edison.

Upon approval of the rate hike proposal by the state Public Service Commission, residential electric and gas bills in Westchester and New York City would increase over the next three rate years — from Jan. 1, 2023, through Dec. 31, 2025. The new rates would be effective June 1.

Per state law, Con Edison is not permitted to raise prices on the energy supply it provides but the company is allowed to make profits on investments and delivery of electricity.

Westchester legislators believe that the rate hike will disproportionately impact low-income families and small businesses already struggling to make ends meet, according to a spokesperson. Many households are considered to be struggling to pay their utility bills on time and maintain adequate energy services.

As of July, the New York State Legislature said more than 385,000 New York City and Westchester Con Edison customers were already behind on their energy bills — with an average debt of $2,146 per household.

Legislators feel that the additional rate hikes would cut the purchasing power of federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding, putting families and small businesses in an even more dire financial position. The program provides one-time emergency utility bill support within a calendar year to low-income families nationwide to help subsidize heating and cooling their homes.

Board Chairwoman Catherine Borgia, D-Cortlandt, Croton, Ossining, Briarcliff Manor, Peekskill, said the proposed rate hike by Con Edison is a major concern for her constituents, many of whom are already struggling to make ends meet during difficult times.

“We cannot allow a utility company to balance its books on the backs of lower-income families and small businesses, especially when it earmarks fossil fuel infrastructure upkeep instead of completely shifting to renewable energy investments,” she said.

Legislator Colin Smith, D-Cortlandt, Peekskill, Yorktown, said there is the potential to use better, more efficient technology, and the switch to that should be sooner rather than later.

“Approving the rate hike for electric and gas delivery would be agreeing to a costly investment in a dying fossil fuel industry that not only harms the environment but also jeopardizes our economic and social progress,” he said.

Customers may provide comments to the PSC by Friday, but they will continue to be accepted while these cases remain pending before the commission.

Written comments will become part of the record considered by the PSC. Comments can be accessed on the Department of Public Service website by searching the case numbers "Case 22-E-0064 (Con Edison electric rates)" or "Case 22-G-0065 (Con Edison gas rates)," and clicking on the "Public Comments" tab.